doma, I do not dispute what you are saying and am indeed definitely in the camp of not giving 'get of of jail free" cards for "collateral damage",
but the truth is, I am from a Christian ethos, it is a part of who I am,
and intent is a component of morality (to me):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mens_rea
On this the pointing of a firearm by one human at another human child's head and discharging that firearm accurately with all intent occupies a moral position distinct from "collateral damage" no matter how repulsive or morally vacuous it too may be.